Honors Program students explore innovation and inclusion at the CECIIS Conference
When it comes to preparing students for the future, few experiences are as transformative as research. For Honors Program students Natali Belušić and Antonia Kurtović, that meant diving deep into two fields shaping the future of business: digitalization in banking and project management.
Motivated by her strong interest in finance, a Global Business Management student, Natali, focused her research on how digital banking systems impact elderly users. “While digital banking offers many conveniences, it often leaves elderly individuals behind due to complex processes and a lack of digital literacy,” she explains. Her findings highlighted that older adults often struggle because banking systems aren’t designed with their needs in mind, interfaces can be confusing, and support for less tech-savvy users is limited.
Their mentor, Dr. Kristina Šorić, presented Natali’s paper Digitalization of Banking Processes and Adaptation for Elderly People at the CECIIS Conference in Varaždin, while Natali continues her senior year at RIT’s main campus in Rochester, New York. Dr. Šorić emphasized how research connects classroom learning to real business challenges. “Students gain valuable experience by learning how to conduct research that connects theory with real-world business challenges. They develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while exploring how to apply academic knowledge to practical situations,” she says.
Fostering curiosity
The CECIIS (Central European Conference on Information and Intelligent Systems) is an international conference focused on the digitalization of business processes, the use of AI in organizations, and how innovation and disruption can be transformed into opportunities. Dr. Šorić directed students toward this conference because of its focus on business processes. At the same conference, Global Business Management student Antonia Kurtović presented her own research on project management, AI and Simulation in Entrepreneurial Education: Lessons from the RITup Ventures Program, developed through her personal experience in the RITup Ventures Program. Her paper explored how project management processes can be improved using mathematical optimization methods and statistical simulations, a practical approach that combines theory and data-driven solutions.
For both students, mentorship played a key role in their success. “My mentor guided me on how to structure the project, offered advice on methodologies, and provided valuable feedback throughout the writing process,” says Natali. “That support helped me refine my ideas and maintain focus on the core objectives of the study.”
Dr. Šorić describes mentoring as deeply rewarding and exciting to watch students develop, discover new insights, and find fulfillment in learning. “It motivates me to keep growing so I can support them even better. It’s a wonderful way to foster curiosity and a genuine hunger for learning and discovery.”
Discover your interests
The Honors Program gives students a platform to go beyond their coursework, to research, collaborate, and apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. For Natali, it became a transformative learning experience that taught her how to conduct research from start to finish while also serving as a meaningful extracurricular achievement when applying for jobs. Through the process, she strengthened her critical thinking, learned to approach problems from multiple perspectives, and developed well-supported, evidence-based conclusions.
The experience has already opened new doors for her; she has published three research papers, with another one soon to be released in New York City. The Honors Program helps students discover their academic interests and prepares them for future career paths. Reflecting on her journey, Natali encourages others to stay curious, explore topics that inspire them, and make the most of their mentor’s guidance.
